Committee Members
Current members of the 2009 Planning Committee.
Kathy O'Boyle - Chair
I am lucky that throughout my childhood, even when times were challenging, I was always housed, fed and loved. As I grew into adulthood, food became my passion. So much so, that it also became my career. I get great joy from planning a menu, preparing a meal and sharing it with friends or clients. Dining at home and abroad has opened up worlds of flavors that I experiment with on a daily basis. I love to cook, care and share. To know that 1 in 6 children is hungry on a daily basis in the richest country in the world, and that that number continues to grow instead of shrink, boggles my mind. As a professional event planner and fundraiser, joining the Taste of the Nation planning committee seemed like a perfect fit. Financially, I am not wealthy, but I have banked years of experience and knowledge which I bring to this event with the hope of making a difference in my own community. I share my strength to help end childhood hunger.
Timothy Cipriano - Co-Chair
Share Our Strength and being a "Lunch Lady" go hand in hand. This is my first year involved with this event; my reason is that that the money raised goes towards fighting childhood hunger in Connecticut. As a "Lunch Lady" my passion is feeding children and offering them access to delicious healthy meals with a local flavor. As Executive Director of Food Services for New Haven Public Schools I see first hand children who are affected by hunger related issues. This year more than ever is the time to participate. While the current economy may make you think twice of participating; this is the economy when our children need us the most.
Pierrette Silverman - Connecticut Food Bank Board
As a Board member of the Connecticut Food Bank, I was interested in becoming further engaged in supporting its mission. I love food, a good party and enjoy coordinating events. When the opportunity to participate as a planning committee (Board) member arose, I decided to give it a whirl. This is my third year participating on the Planning Committee (Board). Aside from this event raising much needed funds for SOS and our local food pantries, I am so taken by the outpouring of support and sense of community that is created by Taste of the Nation. It certainly would not be possible without the amazing restaurants and chefs that create beautiful treats, all the in kind contributions from various entities and of course our volunteers. I look forward to a successful event and to eliminating hunger.
Jeff Rapoport - VIP Liaison
My wife, Debbie, and I feel immensely fortunate to be celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of our company, Jordan Caterers Design Event Planners. We've earned our livelihood by lovingly preparing and serving food to thousands of people, designing exquisite events, and making certain that countless details come off without a hitch. Yet I must remind myself and those with whom I work that, at the same time and in the same community, there are thousands who are hungry and living in dire circumstances. We must be aware of their plight and realize, also, that we and the ones we love could one day be in need. Contributing to Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation and serving as board member and Vice President of Connecticut Food Bank helps me to stay grounded while I work to alleviate hunger and heighten awareness of its impact.
Other members
Albert Agbayani, Institute of Sacred Music at Yale
Dan Batchelder, FreshPoint Fowler & Huntting Produce
Pedro Garzon, Restaurant Garzon
Mary Ann Green, Yale School of Management
Sue Heaton, The Eye Care Group
Ben Mattison, Yale School of Management
Al May, Christian Community Action
Erin O'Boyle, The Eye Care Group
Nancy Purcell, Take the Cake, Principal
Kathy Smith, Farmer's Cow
Stefanie Stevens, Connecticut Food Bank
Robert Sullivan, Yale Dining Services
Tucker Sweitzer, Chrysalis Design
Rafi Taherian, Executive Director, Yale Dining Services
Alex Meier Tomkins, Slocum & Sons
Laurie Toth, Yale School of Management
Michelle Troisi, The Eye Care Group
Brian Wnek, City of New Haven
